Located on the Atlantic coast in south-central Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s most exciting city and boasts numerous attractions. Capital of Brazil prior to Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro has one of the finest settings of any world city. It is home to a series of stunning granite mountains which overlook the city and is surrounded by awesome beaches.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain is Rio’s most endearing iconic landmark and is a major drawcard for thousands of visitors. The Sugar Loaf, Copacabana Beach, the Tijuca forest and the Quinta da Boa Vista also feature highly in guide books and tours. Rio boasts some outstanding colonial architecture nestled amid the glitzy high-rises and restored old palaces.

Aside from the many world class beaches, there are also several large parks and gardens that offer respite during the summer heat and include an array of sports and leisure activities. The Tijuca forest is not far from Copacabana and features Rio’s original forest landscape that includes miles of cycling and hiking trails.

Rio de Janeiro also offers some great shopping opportunities. You will find hordes of flashy boutiques, fashionable designer stores and street markets. Jewellery is big business here and great deals can be had. Rio’s exuberant personality has also transcended to its food and eating establishments. The city’s wild nightlife moves to the beat of samba and is highly addictive, with people coming back for more night after night.

Most people will want to stay near the main beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema although accommodation along these two strips is often quite expensive and fully booked. Cheaper hotels can be found around Flamengo and Catete. It should also be noted that hotel prices generally triple during the Rio Carnival and New Year, while the month of January (Brazil’s summer holidays) is also busy. During these times, booking far ahead is absolutely essential.

Rio de Janeiro is perhaps the most fun-loving city in the world, due mainly to the vibrant lifestyle of the cariocas (Rio natives). Rio’s rich culture is best seen in its dance, music and world famous Carnival, while numerous cultural centres and galleries show off the arts. The cariocas are extremely friendly and English is widely spoken in the tourist areas.

Tupi Native Americans lived in the area long before the arrival of the Europeans, with the first Portuguese explorers not arriving until early in the 16^th century. Not long after the Portuguese arrived, the French became interested in the area and in 1555 they actually decided to make a settlement here. This didn’t last long, however, as the Portuguese banished the French just 12 years later. The area remained a small community until the discovery of the inland Minas Gerais gold mines. A road linking Rio to other settlements was subsequently built, which opened up the entire area.

With the influx of wealth to the city, it was eventually made the Brazilian capital in 1763 at the expense of Salvador. Rio also later became home to the exiled Portuguese royal family, as well as becoming the capital of the Brazilian Empire. In 1889 the ever expanding city became the capital of the Brazilian republic, which it remained until 1960 when Brasilia was established. There was a huge influx of people to Rio de Janeiro after the war with the development of industries and commerce. The city expanded rapidly and its people soon gained a reputation for throwing extravagant parties. Today, Rio remains a rich city and pulls in a huge amount of income from tourism.

Rio de Janeiro has a hot, tropical climate, with summertime temperatures ranging from 25 to 40°C. Summer is between December and March when it can also get very humid and rainy, particular in December. When it rains, it tends to rain for days on end, so December is perhaps not the best time to visit.

The famous Rio Carnival (usually in February) is held during the high season when the city is at its capacity and rooms are just about impossible to come by unless booked way in advance. Visitors who prefer less chaos, less heat and cheaper hotel rooms would be better suited to visiting Rio some time between the winter months from May to October. Temperatures are still in the 20s and although cooler, nights never get too cold.